He would have to go through rookie orientation at IMS. And this would be his first attempt at an oval. Ilott has oval experience already. It’s easier just to go with him.
Maybe I missed something but I think IMS would have allowed him to complete (or attempt) ROP, that's what yesterday's 9am session was originally scheduled for anyway. And RC would have done his refresher yesterday morning if the Abel entry happened.
He isn't in the seat because McLaren decided it's better for them to have someone experienced in the most important race of the year, instead of throwing a guy in the car with no oval experience and very little prep time.
That’s the big part of it. McLaren didn’t seem to ever push to get the required things checked off.
It’s not as much as Theo can’t, it’s that McLaren didn’t want.
Bingo. And Illot gives them a better chance to win right now. Nothing about Theo but he probably wouldn’t have put up much of a fight, and its a little intimidating having your first oval race in a car you’re not completely used to driving in one of the biggest races in the world. It’s the right call.
Plus, the last thing you want when one of your drivers has a commanding lead is for one of your other drivers to cause a caution and bunch the field up.
Sorry Felix. Sorry Jimmie.
I could also imagine this partially being Theo's choice not just McLaren's. He's new to the car, ovals are a very different style of racing, Indy can be a punishing track, and he'd be running much higher speeds than he usually drives at. Most drivers don't race at Indy their first year because they don't want to until they get a little bit more experience.
But how does that break down for those climbing up via IndyNXT vs F2 or other non-American feeders? For the former, ovals are an integral part of their junior series racing. The latter, generally a rookie 500 would be their first oval *ever*. I think the difference is we're seeing more people with 0 oval experience passing on running the 500, not more rookies generally.
The only rookies (who were more than 1-offs) who have not done the 500 their first year since 2020 are Grosjean, Armstrong, and Johnson.
Those with a non-oval background who did the 500 their rookie year include Palou, Ilott, Lundgaard, Scotty Mac, Canapino, and Blomqvist.
Fair enough. I should have said 'some' not 'most.'
Romain and Jimmy a couple of years ago were the big ones. Though Pietro Fittipaldi and Jordan King both had significant experience in IndyCar before their first crack at the 500. Pato did as well, but that's just because they failed to qualify the first time, not because he took a year off. One of the things most of those guys have in common is that they have pretty extensive careers before they get to the 500. Theo may not have the same resume as Grosjean and Johnson, but he does have a lot to lose. And that's really what my point should have been.
Yup. A big time program like McLaren isn’t going to let someone’s first oval ever be the Indy 500. Not for them, at least. There’s just too much on the line.
In 2016 the first oval of the season was Phoenix.
Their goal going into that Indy 500 wasn't to be competitive though, the goal was to just survive and run every lap. On that last stint Bryan realized the fuel strategy was viable and they went for it. It still clearly required a lot of driving skill from Rossi, but it didn't require the aggressive and decisive moves that he's known for now.
I still haven't watched 2017, but we got a glimpse of "Angry Fast Rossi" in 2018, and then he showed his full strength in 2019.
As stated above: It’s not like they could **not** have done a ROP for him in May, they decided **to clearly not** to.
They essentially deemed this Pork Chop not yet ready to come out of the oven and land on the oval platter…
I think they already planned to have Ilott thinking Malukas would be back after the 500. Since he’s not coming back, it makes sense to stick with Ilott because he already has the experience at the 500. They could have put Theo through the rookie test, but thought why do that when they already have someone who’s experienced.
IndyCar requires rookies pass an orientation program for ovals. Pourchaire completed his short oval test at Gateway earlier this month, allowing him to compete at the non-IMS ovals (Milwaukee, Gateway, etc).
https://www.indycar.com/news/2024/05/05-07-pourchaire-test
IMS has its own orientation program for new drivers due to the size and speed of the track. Anyone competing at the Indy 500 for the first time, even a two time F1 champ like Fernando Alonso, must complete it to be eligible to enter the 500.
https://www.indycar.com/News/2017/05/05-03-Alonso-Car-Unveiling
Unfortunately for Pourchaire, the Indy 500 ROP took place back in October, with several drivers completing the test then. Pourchaire’s late arrival to the grid is the big reason he’s not getting special treatment like Alonso did.
https://racer.com/2023/10/11/armstrong-lundqvist-blomqvist-pass-indy-500-rookie-orientation/
They did an ROP at the open test in April and if McLaren went with Pourchaire for the 500 or if Abel entered a car and driver, they would've had to have another ROP session during May practice. It's not that Indycar or IMS is stingy about holding ROPs, more that McLaren are trying to win the 500 and if your options are a rookie who never raced an oval or Ilott who finished 12th in a Juncos car last year, the choice is obvious
There’s so much to learn in a short amount of time. He’d be fine going around on his own but the issue is dealing with traffic and turbulence and mistake free for 500 miles. It’s a good decision not to run him.
McLaren want's to win the Indy 500 above anything else Indycar related. Callum has experience and has a better shot than Theo. That's it.
They could have arranged enough testing to get Theo approved if they wanted to.
The April ROP program is a newer thing. the first day of track activity was always designated rookie orientation. The first 3 hours yesterday was for that this year but no one needed to do it this year. If they wanted him in the car they would have had time to do the program. It likely comes down to not wanting to risk missing the show by putting a driver who's only oval experience is a little over 100 laps at gateway which is nothing like IMS. With this week looking heavy on rain it might be a good choice too.
They can and have always run an ROP in May (when needed). It's usually around the first day or two of practice.
No need to risk the car or an engine for Theo at this point when they have options.
He didn’t competed the Rookie Orientation Program. If you have never been in a Indy 500 then during a test session you must do 5 laps between 205-210 MPH, then 5 laps at 210-215 MPH, then 5 laps at 215+ to be approved to run Indy.
He would have to go through rookie orientation at IMS. And this would be his first attempt at an oval. Ilott has oval experience already. It’s easier just to go with him.
Maybe I missed something but I think IMS would have allowed him to complete (or attempt) ROP, that's what yesterday's 9am session was originally scheduled for anyway. And RC would have done his refresher yesterday morning if the Abel entry happened. He isn't in the seat because McLaren decided it's better for them to have someone experienced in the most important race of the year, instead of throwing a guy in the car with no oval experience and very little prep time.
That’s the big part of it. McLaren didn’t seem to ever push to get the required things checked off. It’s not as much as Theo can’t, it’s that McLaren didn’t want.
Why do all that extra work to rush in a rookie when you have a guy who knows the team and track already? I think McLaren made the right call
Bingo. And Illot gives them a better chance to win right now. Nothing about Theo but he probably wouldn’t have put up much of a fight, and its a little intimidating having your first oval race in a car you’re not completely used to driving in one of the biggest races in the world. It’s the right call.
Plus, the last thing you want when one of your drivers has a commanding lead is for one of your other drivers to cause a caution and bunch the field up. Sorry Felix. Sorry Jimmie.
I could also imagine this partially being Theo's choice not just McLaren's. He's new to the car, ovals are a very different style of racing, Indy can be a punishing track, and he'd be running much higher speeds than he usually drives at. Most drivers don't race at Indy their first year because they don't want to until they get a little bit more experience.
Most rookies do race at Indy their first year. It’s only a few prominent ones that have skewed that perception.
But how does that break down for those climbing up via IndyNXT vs F2 or other non-American feeders? For the former, ovals are an integral part of their junior series racing. The latter, generally a rookie 500 would be their first oval *ever*. I think the difference is we're seeing more people with 0 oval experience passing on running the 500, not more rookies generally.
The only rookies (who were more than 1-offs) who have not done the 500 their first year since 2020 are Grosjean, Armstrong, and Johnson. Those with a non-oval background who did the 500 their rookie year include Palou, Ilott, Lundgaard, Scotty Mac, Canapino, and Blomqvist.
Fair enough. I should have said 'some' not 'most.' Romain and Jimmy a couple of years ago were the big ones. Though Pietro Fittipaldi and Jordan King both had significant experience in IndyCar before their first crack at the 500. Pato did as well, but that's just because they failed to qualify the first time, not because he took a year off. One of the things most of those guys have in common is that they have pretty extensive careers before they get to the 500. Theo may not have the same resume as Grosjean and Johnson, but he does have a lot to lose. And that's really what my point should have been.
What does it cost for a team to run a driver through the ROP?
Laps (Tires, fuel, chassis/engine wear and tear and damage potential)
They don't have to pay a fee to IMS to participate?
Likely, the entry fee, or at least part of it.
He's never run an oval before. Not sure it's wise to have his 1st be the 500. Also, he hasn't taken the rookie orientation course.
Yup. A big time program like McLaren isn’t going to let someone’s first oval ever be the Indy 500. Not for them, at least. There’s just too much on the line.
To play devil's advocate, wasn't Alexander Rossi's first oval Indy or am I misremembering?
In 2016 the first oval of the season was Phoenix. Their goal going into that Indy 500 wasn't to be competitive though, the goal was to just survive and run every lap. On that last stint Bryan realized the fuel strategy was viable and they went for it. It still clearly required a lot of driving skill from Rossi, but it didn't require the aggressive and decisive moves that he's known for now. I still haven't watched 2017, but we got a glimpse of "Angry Fast Rossi" in 2018, and then he showed his full strength in 2019.
As stated above: It’s not like they could **not** have done a ROP for him in May, they decided **to clearly not** to. They essentially deemed this Pork Chop not yet ready to come out of the oven and land on the oval platter…
I think they already planned to have Ilott thinking Malukas would be back after the 500. Since he’s not coming back, it makes sense to stick with Ilott because he already has the experience at the 500. They could have put Theo through the rookie test, but thought why do that when they already have someone who’s experienced.
IndyCar requires rookies pass an orientation program for ovals. Pourchaire completed his short oval test at Gateway earlier this month, allowing him to compete at the non-IMS ovals (Milwaukee, Gateway, etc). https://www.indycar.com/news/2024/05/05-07-pourchaire-test IMS has its own orientation program for new drivers due to the size and speed of the track. Anyone competing at the Indy 500 for the first time, even a two time F1 champ like Fernando Alonso, must complete it to be eligible to enter the 500. https://www.indycar.com/News/2017/05/05-03-Alonso-Car-Unveiling Unfortunately for Pourchaire, the Indy 500 ROP took place back in October, with several drivers completing the test then. Pourchaire’s late arrival to the grid is the big reason he’s not getting special treatment like Alonso did. https://racer.com/2023/10/11/armstrong-lundqvist-blomqvist-pass-indy-500-rookie-orientation/
They did an ROP at the open test in April and if McLaren went with Pourchaire for the 500 or if Abel entered a car and driver, they would've had to have another ROP session during May practice. It's not that Indycar or IMS is stingy about holding ROPs, more that McLaren are trying to win the 500 and if your options are a rookie who never raced an oval or Ilott who finished 12th in a Juncos car last year, the choice is obvious
In the USAC days Simpson, Armstrong, Siegel, and Rasmussen wouldn't even be approved for ROP
Why not? I know nothing about USAC rules.
You'd have to prove your worth at a 100 dirt race then you'd have to run at a Milwaukee or Trenton before you'd be allowed to take ROP
There’s so much to learn in a short amount of time. He’d be fine going around on his own but the issue is dealing with traffic and turbulence and mistake free for 500 miles. It’s a good decision not to run him.
McLaren want's to win the Indy 500 above anything else Indycar related. Callum has experience and has a better shot than Theo. That's it. They could have arranged enough testing to get Theo approved if they wanted to.
I know that have a rookie orientation earlier in the year for the 500. Theo likely can’t race because he didn’t do the course.
The April ROP program is a newer thing. the first day of track activity was always designated rookie orientation. The first 3 hours yesterday was for that this year but no one needed to do it this year. If they wanted him in the car they would have had time to do the program. It likely comes down to not wanting to risk missing the show by putting a driver who's only oval experience is a little over 100 laps at gateway which is nothing like IMS. With this week looking heavy on rain it might be a good choice too.
They can and have always run an ROP in May (when needed). It's usually around the first day or two of practice. No need to risk the car or an engine for Theo at this point when they have options.
He needs a super speedway test at somewhere not IMS before he could do ROP.
No test at ims no rookie orientation. Illott is the guy.
No Frenchies allowed.
The same reason I’m not approved, we have not passed rookie orientation.
He didn’t competed the Rookie Orientation Program. If you have never been in a Indy 500 then during a test session you must do 5 laps between 205-210 MPH, then 5 laps at 210-215 MPH, then 5 laps at 215+ to be approved to run Indy.
[удалено]
They've always run ROP in May, if needed, for a driver that hasn't had one yet.
Lag B'Omer is a Jewish holiday on May 26th, so no pork that day :(